Edmonton head coach Kavis Reed: Much like Tim Burke in Winnipeg, Reed must use the final three games of the season to make his case for employment in 2014 and beyond. With a record of 3-12 — and just one win all season at Commonwealth Stadium — the chances of Reed returning as head coach of the Eskimos year are about the same as beleaguered Edmonton Oilers goalie Devan Dubnyk winning the Vezina Trophy. The players say they haven’t given up on Reed — Friday’s game against the Stampeders is their chance to prove they mean it.

MEANING? WHAT MEANING?

The long-suffering fans of the Green and Gold are calling this game a waste of time in the City of Champions as the Eskimos are mathematically eliminated from playoff contention with three contests remaining in a season to forget. The Stamps, however, can lock up first place with a win in Edmonton combined with a B.C. Lions upset Saturday of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Should they take care of business (and get a bit of help from the Lions), the Stamps could give several wounded veterans almost a month of rest prior to the Western Final. Given how banged up this team is, the time off could prove crucial in Calgary’s quest to qualify for the 101st Grey Cup in Regina. Nothing is guaranteed for the Stamps, however. If they lose out, B.C. wins out, and Saskatchewan beats Calgary and Edmonton, the three teams would finish in a three-way tie atop the West at 12-6.

GAME BREAKER

Edmonton SB Fred Stamps: If only this guy played on a contender. Quietly stellar, Stamps is arguably the best receiver in the land — especially catching the ball in traffic. Highlight reel catches rank as business as usual for the perennial all-star. Leading the CFL with 61 catches for 1,127 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Calgary secondary, burned for several big gains last week against B.C., must keep a watchful eye on Stamps at all times.

Calgary RB Jon Cornish is riding a three-game streak with 100-plus rushing yards — making him the first Stampeder to do so in eight years (Joffrey Reynolds was the last to turn the trick.) Should Cornish maintain his average of 7.3 yards per carry, he’ll finish this season with the highest average ever for a CFL running back . . . Calgary QB Kevin Glenn is making his 152nd career start tonight. His record overall is 79-71-1. This season, Glenn is 10-2 as a starter for the Stamps . . . Friday’s game marks the first time the Stamps and Eskimos have met with one team nine games ahead of the other in the standings. The Eskimos have lost six games by five points or less in 2013 . . . Calgary SB Marquay McDaniel is one of only seven players this season with at least a catch in all 15 games. The others are: Chris Getzlaf, Andrew Harris, Bakari Grant, S.J. Green, Andre Durie and Jason Barnes . . . Calgary DL Justin Phillips will mark his 100th CFL game Friday against the Eskimos . . . Calgary DE Charleston Hughes needs one sack for 50 in his career and one tackle for 250 in his career.

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